Kids can be bosses too; Young Bosses showcase skills at pop-up vendor

BY SYDNEE WALCOTT

When most people think about a boss, they’d usually think of an adult. However, children are proving they have the skills to be a boss at a young age.

Under the brand name: Young Bosses in Business, kid entrepreneurs sold their goods at a pop-up market in Bramalea City Centre on March 18^th, 2023.

Children sold handmade goods such as skincare products, makeup, and jewelry, but handmade goods weren’t the only exciting part of the event. Throughout the event, customers got to enjoy music from a live DJ, take photos in a 360-photo booth, and have the chance to win prizes in a giveaway.

Proving that kids can be bosses may have been the main inspiration for why they became entrepreneurs, but it’s not the only reason. They also wanted to become business owners to help make a positive difference and be the change.

Three years ago, Kyree Duffus, 14, created her business, Girl Gang Strong, to help her overcome the bullying she experienced at school and online. Duffus sells a bi-monthly subscription box filled with skincare products to help girls and women feel comfortable and take care of themselves as a way to help them overcome their hardships.

“In a way, it’s kind of like therapy for them,” said Duffus.

The hosts of the pop-up vendor were sisters Sariah and Ariella Morgan.

Sariah Morgan, 13, was inspired to be a business owner after experiencing difficulties finding the perfect product for her lips. Morgan did not enjoy dealing with black spots and products that would trigger her eczema, but she wanted to find a solution to this problem due to her love of lip gloss.

To combat this issue, IAH Beauty was born.

Morgan would like to see her business expand by selling other makeup products like lipsticks and lip balms that look like lipstick. What she enjoys the most about being a business owner is the experience of meeting new people and being able to create other products. Morgan wants to achieve financial wealth from her business, have her goods sold in Sephora, and open a store.

Morgan’s younger sister, Ariella (six years old) was inspired to become an entrepreneur through her and to prove that kids can also do well in the business industry.

BOSSARI KIDS, Ariella’s business, sells sunglasses, purses, jewelry, and shoelaces for children and adults. What she enjoys the most about being a business owner is the opportunity to make her own money and do what she loves. Ariella is following in her sister’s footsteps and would like to see her goods sold in stores as well.

The sisters have received support from their parents, who funded their businesses.

“Without them, I feel like my business wouldn’t really go anywhere,” said Sariah Morgan.

“A lot of people like the idea of young bosses in business,” said the mother, Chantell Morgan.

When sharing how both mother and father have been funding their daughters’ businesses, they’re now looking at getting sponsorships for events to continue.